Best Residence by Investment Lawyers in Hasselt

About Residence by Investment Law in Hasselt, Belgium

Belgium does not operate a classic citizenship-by-investment or golden visa program. Instead, non-EU and non-EEA nationals can obtain residence by building and managing a genuine business that brings economic value to Belgium or by being employed in Belgium, including by a company that they own. In practice, the two main avenues are self-employed residence with a regional professional card and employment-based residence through the Single Permit that combines work and residence authorization. Hasselt is in the Flemish Region, so regional rules and authorities of Flanders apply, while federal immigration and nationality rules apply nationwide. Passive investments such as purchasing real estate or government bonds do not in themselves grant a residence right, although they can form part of a broader, job-creating business plan.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer can help you choose the optimal route self-employed authorization or employment under the Single Permit based on your goals, profile, business plan, and family situation. Legal counsel can assess whether your proposed investment and business model meet Flemish economic interest criteria, prepare a compliant business plan, and guide you through corporate formation under the Belgian Companies and Associations Code. They can coordinate with a Belgian notary, register your company with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, handle VAT and UBO filings, and ensure banking and anti-money laundering compliance. An attorney can also advise on labor and social security obligations if you will hire staff in Hasselt, draft contracts and leases, and manage intellectual property and regulatory licenses. If your application is refused or delayed, a lawyer can represent you in administrative reviews and appeals before the competent Flemish authority and the Council for Alien Law Litigation. For families, a lawyer can plan dependants’ applications, schooling, health insurance, and local registration with the City of Hasselt.

Local Laws Overview

Residence and immigration are governed primarily by the Law of 15 December 1980 and the Royal Decree of 8 October 1981. Work and self-employed authorizations are a regional competence. In Flanders, the professional card for self-employed activity and the work authorization component of the Single Permit are decided by the Flemish authorities, after which the federal Immigration Office issues the residence component. Self-employed residence usually requires a professional card demonstrating that your activity has economic, social, cultural, or sporting value for the region. There is no statutory minimum investment, but the project must be viable and beneficial, often evidenced by capital adequacy, job creation plans, and a credible financial plan. Employment-based residence is handled via the Single Permit, with subcategories such as highly skilled, managerial, or specialized profiles, each with defined criteria.

Company setup follows the Companies and Associations Code. Common vehicles for investors are the BV private limited company and the NV public limited company. A BV has no fixed minimum capital but requires a robust financial plan proving sufficient initial equity. An NV has a legally required minimum capital. After incorporation before a Belgian notary, the company is registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and, when needed, for VAT. Directors and ultimate beneficial owners must be identified in the UBO register, and banks will verify source of funds under anti-money laundering rules.

On arrival, you register your address with the City of Hasselt. The local administration will collect biometrics and may arrange a police domicile check before issuing your residence card. Health insurance is mandatory. Belgium has no wealth tax, but residents are subject to personal income tax on worldwide income. Corporate income tax applies to Belgian companies. Tax residency depends on facts such as your main home and center of vital interests, not only on day counts. Buying property does not grant residence status. After five years of legal and uninterrupted residence, most third-country nationals can apply for EU long-term residence and may qualify for Belgian nationality if integration, language, and participation conditions are met.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Belgium have a golden visa or citizenship-by-investment program?

No. Belgium offers residence through business activity or employment. You can obtain residence if you create and manage a viable business that benefits the economy self-employed route or if you hold a qualifying job in Belgium employment route. Citizenship requires time, lawful residence, and integration, not a direct investment payment.

What is the professional card and who needs it?

The professional card is the authorization a non-EU and non-EEA national needs to carry out self-employed activity in Belgium. In Flanders, the regional authority assesses your application based on the economic and social value of your project. Approval allows you to apply for a residence permit as a self-employed person and to run your business in Hasselt.

Is there a minimum investment amount to qualify?

There is no statutory minimum investment set by Belgian law. Authorities assess the overall economic interest and viability of the business. Sufficient capitalization, a credible financial plan, and potential for job creation or innovation carry significant weight.

Can I get residence by buying property in Hasselt?

No. Purchasing property alone does not grant residence rights. Property ownership can support your application by demonstrating accommodation and commitment, but you still need an approved self-employed or employment basis for residence.

How does the Single Permit work?

The Single Permit is a combined work and residence authorization for employees. Your employer in Belgium which can be your own Belgian company if structured correctly requests regional approval for the work authorization. After regional approval, the federal Immigration Office issues the residence component. You then register locally in Hasselt and receive a residence card.

How long do applications take?

Timelines vary by case and region. As a general guide, professional card decisions often take several months after a complete file is submitted, and Single Permit processing commonly ranges from 3 to 6 months. Local registration in Hasselt follows issuance of the long-stay visa and arrival in Belgium.

Can my family join me?

Yes, spouses or registered partners and minor children generally qualify for family reunification once you hold valid residence and can demonstrate adequate housing, health insurance, and sufficient means. Family members receive their own residence cards and, depending on the category, may have access to the labor market.

What are the main documents required?

Typical documents include a valid passport, clean criminal record certificate, medical certificate, proof of health insurance, evidence of means of subsistence, and a detailed business plan with financials for self-employed applications. For company owners, incorporation documents, proof of capital, and UBO information are needed. Documents must often be legalized or apostilled and translated by a sworn translator into Dutch, French, or German depending on the authority.

When can I apply for permanent residence or citizenship?

Most third-country nationals can apply for EU long-term residence after 5 years of legal and uninterrupted stay, subject to integration and means requirements. Belgian nationality is commonly obtained by declaration after 5 years of legal residence with proof of social integration, language knowledge, and economic participation. Time spent as a student usually counts differently, so individualized advice is important.

What taxes and social contributions should I expect?

Belgian tax residency generally entails personal income tax on worldwide income. Belgian companies pay corporate income tax on profits. Social security contributions apply to employees and to self-employed persons via the self-employed social insurance funds. Belgium has no wealth tax, but there are other levies such as municipal surcharges and registration duties on property transfers. Proper tax planning and accounting are essential when settling in Hasselt.

Additional Resources

Federal Immigration Office Service for Foreigners Affairs; Flemish authorities responsible for the professional card and work authorization; City of Hasselt Population and Civil Affairs for local registration and residence cards; Belgian notaries for company incorporation; Crossroads Bank for Enterprises for business registration; Federal Public Service Finance for tax matters; Recognized business one-stop shops ondernemingsloketten for registrations and social security affiliations; Social insurance funds for self-employed persons; Belgian diplomatic posts for long-stay visa applications; Council for Alien Law Litigation for appeals.

Next Steps

Clarify your objective long-term residence as a self-employed person or as an employee of a Belgian company and map your family needs. Consult a lawyer experienced in Flemish migration and corporate matters to evaluate eligibility and select the most suitable route. If pursuing the self-employed path, prepare a robust business plan tailored to Flemish criteria, including market analysis, financial forecasts, staffing plans in Hasselt or the wider Limburg area, and evidence of funds. If choosing the employment route, structure your Belgian company and role to meet the relevant Single Permit category and salary thresholds. Incorporate your company where needed by engaging a Belgian notary, prepare the financial plan for a BV, register the company with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, and complete VAT and UBO registrations. Open a Belgian business bank account and compile anti-money laundering documentation proving lawful source of funds. Assemble personal documents criminal record, medical certificate, health insurance, legalized and translated where required and file the professional card or Single Permit application with the Flemish authorities. After approval, obtain the appropriate long-stay visa from a Belgian consulate, travel to Belgium, and register your address with the City of Hasselt within the legal timeframe to receive your residence card. Maintain compliance by filing taxes, keeping corporate records, paying social contributions, and renewing permits on time. If difficulties arise, seek legal advice promptly and consider administrative review or appeal within the applicable deadlines.